Mumps - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2018

For 2018, 11 312 cases of mumps were reported to ECDC by 28 EU/EEA Member States with an overall notification rate of 2.6 cases per 100 000 population. There were no deaths reported and hospitalisation or complications due to mumps were rare, affecting 4.5% and 6.5% respectively, of the cases with data recorded on these outcomes. Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom accounted for 79% of all notified cases, with new or continuing outbreaks in these countries during the first half of the year responsible for the majority of cases.

Mumps was more common among males than females across all age groups in the EU/EEA, with an overall male to female notification rate ratio of 1:3. Those aged 10-19 years experienced the highest age-specific notification rates and the highest proportion of cases vaccinated with two or more doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Despite evidence of incomplete protection or waning immunity following vaccination, high MMR vaccination coverage remains of paramount importance to prevent mumps outbreaks, reduce disease severity and achieve measles and rubella elimination goals.